Science | Offham Primary School

At Offham Primary School we provide a high-quality science education that gives the children the foundations to enable them to make sense of and understand the world around them. Science changes the world that we live in and is vital to the worlds future. Through building on their knowledge, using a rich curriculum, our pupils will begin to explain and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. We aim to teach children at Offham all the vital aspects of knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science through practical investigative lessons.

Science week at Offham

How can I support my child in science?

1. Be interested

Find out their termly topics (This information should be available on the school’s website) and take an interest — find relevant books in the library or bookshop, do some research, brush up your own knowledge about the topic! Then you can have interesting conversations where you are both learning at the same time.

2. Take a trip

Why not take a trip to a science museum, a zoo or an aquarium? These don’t necessarily need to be completely related to what they are learning about at school. Any visit can help their curiosity and engagement with science generally.

3. Make it personal

Find out about famous scientists and research unique and exciting inventions up to and including the present day. Who knows, you may have the next Stephen Hawking or Marie Curie at home!

4. Get hands-on

Look up fun, practical science experiments you can do at home with everyday objects.

For example:

Ask ‘What happens when you mix food colouring in milk?’ Then add washing up liquid and watch what happens.
Why not try making your own mini exploding volcano? Just add bicarbonate of soda, food colouring, washing up liquid and vinegar. Then stand back and watch the eruption!
Cooking is also a great opportunity to mix ingredients, add heat and examine changing states.
Try exploring changing states with ice and water to begin to see those changes that can be reversed and those that can’t.
A real favourite would have to be ‘gloop’ — use water and cornflour (add food colouring too if needed) to explore solids and liquids. Just be prepared to get messy!
Of course, there are also some wonderful science kits available to buy to push your scientists further – making crystals, rockets and even bouncy balls.

Anything where they can be hands-on and see the science happen in front of their eyes is guaranteed to be get them interested.

Further support and useful web links

The National Curriculum for science
for video clips and activities
The Science Museum for information, games etc.
The Children’s University of Manchester Science pages
The Royal Institute’s annual Christmas lectures make science real for children and are available online, along with lots of other educational goodies
National Geographic Kids